The Moritz Stern Institute fulfils the university's tasks in research, research-oriented teaching and continuing education in the fields of intellectual history, modern Jewish studies and Enlightenment culture. To this end, the institute organises, coordinates, implements, supports and further develops interdisciplinary research projects in these fields of knowledge.
In cooperation with other departments at the University of Göttingen as well as with national and international institutions, key topics in the humanities and social sciences are identified and researched.
A major focus is on promoting young academics, diversity and family friendliness. Most of the researchers at the Moritz Stern Institute have come to the institute with scholarships from German and European foundations and institutions, primarily the Humboldt Foundation and the European Union's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme.